Joe Louis Walker at Bluesapalooza

August 3, 2012

This weekendâs Bluesapalooza is so full of top-drawer talent that it is hard to just pull a single thing out of the hat and call it THE highlight.

But concertgoers at Samâs Woodsite on Sunday would not be far off if they gave the nod to Joe Louis Walker.

Walker, now 62, is a journeymanâs journeyman in the blues world, but he shows no sign of slowing down.

Touring in support of his new record, âHellfire,â Walker brings an eclectic mix of musical influences to the stage, from Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones on the rock ânâ roll end of the spectrum to hard-core blues on the other.

His song, âBlack Girls,â is a tribute to great blues-singing women, while âToo Drunk To Drive Drunkâ more or less speaks for itself.

For those who have somehow managed to go through their lives without hearing Walker, listen for his stinging guitar cuts, a raspy, bluesy voice and pristine, uncluttered arrangements.